U.S. patent application number 13/085792 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for universal ground bar system.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANDUIT CORP.. Invention is credited to Shaun P. Brouwer, Robert G. Bucciferro, John Carnevale.
Application Number | 20120264327 13/085792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46001753 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120264327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carnevale; John ; et
al. |
October 18, 2012 |
Universal Ground Bar System
Abstract
A ground bar assembly includes a ground bar for attaching to
grounding conductors and a conductive mounting bracket directly
attached to the ground bar. The conductive mounting bracket is
configured to space the ground bar apart from a mounting surface.
An isolative mounting bracket and varying ground bar assemblies,
for differing functions, are also provided.
Inventors: |
Carnevale; John; (Crest
Hill, IL) ; Brouwer; Shaun P.; (St. John, IN)
; Bucciferro; Robert G.; (Joliet, IL) |
Assignee: |
PANDUIT CORP.
Tinley Park
IL
|
Family ID: |
46001753 |
Appl. No.: |
13/085792 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/449 ;
439/571 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02B 1/205 20130101;
H01R 2101/00 20130101; H01R 4/64 20130101; H01R 9/2483 20130101;
H01R 11/09 20130101; H01R 4/36 20130101; H02B 1/056 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/449 ;
439/571 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/639 20060101
H01R013/639; H01R 13/73 20060101 H01R013/73 |
Claims
1. A ground bar assembly comprising a ground bar for attaching to
grounding conductors and a conductive mounting bracket directly
attached to the ground bar, the conductive mounting bracket
configured to space the ground bar apart from a mounting
surface.
2. The ground bar assembly of claim 1 wherein the conductive
mounting bracket is directly attached to the ground bar with a
screw extending through a mounting bracket hole into a ground bar
hole in a bottom surface of the ground bar.
3. The ground bar assembly of claim 1 wherein two conductive
mounting brackets are attached to opposite ends of the ground
bar.
4. The ground bar assembly of claim 1 wherein the conductive
mounting bracket comprises a top surface, opposed side walls
extending at non-parallel angles from the top surface, and flanges
extending from the opposed side walls, wherein the flanges are
parallel to the top surface.
5. The ground bar assembly of claim 4 wherein the top surface
comprises a top surface hole, and the flanges comprise flange
holes.
6. An isolative mounting bracket made of non-conductive material,
the isolative mounting bracket comprising a bottom surface and a
top surface comprising a slot, the slot having opposed side slot
walls for slideably mounting over oppositely disposed surfaces of a
ground bar, wherein a hole is disposed in the bottom surface beyond
the slot between the opposed side slot walls.
7. The isolative mounting bracket of claim 6 further comprising a
slot ledge disposed between the opposed side slot walls.
8. The isolative mounting bracket of claim 7 wherein the slot ledge
is centered between the opposed side slot walls.
9. The isolative mounting bracket of claim 6 wherein the opposed
side slot walls are each a same length as the top surface.
10. The isolative mounting bracket of claim 6 further comprising
opposed outer side walls disposed parallel to the opposed side slot
walls, a bottom slot wall extending between the opposed side slot
walls, and opposed top slot walls extending from the opposed side
slot walls, wherein the opposed side slot walls are non-parallel to
the bottom slot wall and the opposed top slot walls and the opposed
outer side walls are completely disposed in separate respective
planes.
11. A ground bar assembly comprising a ground bar and a conductor
block configured to be attached to the ground bar, the ground bar
having a top surface comprising an anti-rotation slot comprising
opposed slot side walls for preventing rotation of the conductor
block.
12. The ground bar assembly of claim 11 wherein the anti-rotation
slot further comprises a slot end wall extending between the
opposed slot side walls.
13. The ground bar assembly of claim 11 wherein the anti-rotation
slot is disposed at one end of the ground bar.
14. The ground bar assembly of claim 11 wherein one end of the
anti-rotation slot is open.
15. The ground bar assembly of claim 11 wherein the ground bar
further comprises a ground bar hole disposed in the top surface
between the opposed slot side walls, and the conductor block
further comprises a conductor block hole configured to overlap the
ground bar hole when the conductor block is disposed against the
top surface between the opposed slot side walls.
16. A ground bar assembly comprising a ground bar and a conductor
block configured to be attached to the ground bar, the conductor
block comprising an anti-rotation ledge extending from a bottom
surface of the conductor block for abutting against a surface of
the ground bar to prevent rotation of the conductor block.
17. The ground bar assembly of claim 16 wherein the ground bar
further comprises a top surface and an end surface, wherein when
the bottom surface of the conductor block is disposed against the
top surface of the ground bar the anti-rotation ledge abuts against
the end surface of the ground bar preventing rotation of the
conductor block.
18. The ground bar assembly of claim 17 wherein when the
anti-rotation ledge abuts against the end surface of the ground
bar, preventing rotation of the conductor block, the anti-rotation
ledge is disposed parallel to the end surface.
19. The ground bar assembly of claim 16 wherein the ground bar
further comprises a ground bar hole, and the conductor block
further comprises a conductor block hole configured to overlap the
ground bar hole when the anti-rotation ledge is abutted against the
surface of the ground bar preventing rotation of the conductor
block.
20. The ground bar assembly of claim 19 further comprising a screw
which is configured to extend through the conductor block hole into
the ground bar hole to secure the conductor block to the ground bar
when the bottom surface of the conductor block is disposed against
a top surface of the ground bar and the anti-rotation ledge is
abutted against an end surface of the ground bar preventing
rotation of the conductor block.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This disclosure relates to ground bar assemblies, including
ground bars, mounting brackets, and conductor blocks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ground bar assemblies are used in many electrical and
control panels to combine various grounding conductors together
which are then bonded to the panel's main grounding conductor. Some
of these ground bar assemblies are unable to accept differing types
of conductive terminations such as a stripped wire, a ferrule, a
ring or fork terminal, and a compression connector. Other ground
bar assemblies do not provide conductive mounting brackets for
direct attachment to the ground bar to space apart the ground bar
from a mounting surface. Still other ground bar assemblies do not
provide isolative mounting brackets which allow the attachment of
the isolative mounting brackets to a ground bar without fasteners.
Additional ground bar assemblies do not provide anti-rotation
features to prevent conductor blocks from rotating while being
attached to a ground bar.
[0003] a universal ground bar assembly is needed to overcome one or
more of the issues experienced with prior ground bar
assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect of the invention, a ground bar assembly
includes a ground bar for attaching to grounding conductors and a
conductive mounting bracket directly attached to the ground bar.
The conductive mounting bracket is configured to space the ground
bar apart from a mounting surface.
[0005] In another aspect of the invention, an isolative mounting
bracket made of non-conductive material has a bottom surface and a
top surface. The top surface includes a slot. The slot has opposed
side slot walls for slideably mounting over oppositely disposed
surfaces of a ground bar. A hole is disposed in the bottom surface
beyond the slot and between the opposed side slot walls.
[0006] In an additional aspect of the invention, a ground bar
assembly includes a ground bar and a conductor block configured to
be attached to the ground bar. The ground bar has a top surface
including an anti-rotation slot having opposed slot side walls for
preventing rotation of the conductor block.
[0007] In still another aspect of the invention, a ground bar
assembly includes a ground bar and a conductor block configured to
be attached to the ground bar. The conductor block has an
anti-rotation ledge extending from a bottom surface of the
conductor block for abutting against a surface of the ground bar to
prevent rotation of the conductor block.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a universal
ground bar assembly.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section view through the ground
bar of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section through a ground bar of
another embodiment having a cross-section in a T-shape.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section through a ground bar of
another embodiment having a cross-section in yet another varying
shape.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a partial bottom perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly of FIG. 1 showing one of the mounting
brackets detached from the ground bar.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly of FIG. 1 showing an isolative
mounting bracket attached to an end of the ground bar.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates the view of FIG. 6 with the isolative
mounting bracket detached from the end of the ground bar.
[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates the view of the universal ground bar
assembly of FIG. 6 showing a standard 2-hole lug being attached to
the ground bar.
[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates a partial top perspective end view of the
universal ground bar assembly of FIG. 1 with a main conductor block
being attached to the ground bar.
[0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a partial top perspective end view of
another embodiment of a universal ground bar assembly, having an
anti-rotation feature, with a main conductor block being attached
to the ground bar.
[0018] FIG. 11 illustrates a partial top perspective end view of
the universal ground bar assembly of FIG. 1 with a varied main
conductor block, having an anti-rotation feature, being attached to
the ground bar.
[0019] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of FIG.
9.
[0020] FIG. 13 illustrates another partial top perspective view of
the embodiment of FIG. 9 with the exception that the main conductor
block has been attached to the ground bar in a different
orientation.
[0021] FIG. 14 illustrates a partial side view of the ground bar of
FIG. 1 showing the attachment of varying types of conductive
terminations to the ground bar.
[0022] FIG. 15 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
ground bar of FIG. 1 showing a screw and ring terminal detached
from the ground bar.
[0023] FIG. 16 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly of FIG. 1 showing a screw and ferrule
detached from the ground bar.
[0024] FIG. 17 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly of FIG. 1 showing a screw and bare
wire detached from the ground bar.
[0025] FIG. 18 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly of FIG. 1 showing a screw and
compression connector detached from the ground bar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a universal
ground bar assembly 10. The universal ground bar assembly 10
includes a ground bar 12 and mounting brackets 14 and 16 directly
attached to opposite ends 15 and 17 of the ground bar 12 attaching
the universal ground bar assembly 10 to a mounting surface 18. The
universal ground bar assembly 10 is configured to attach to various
types or numbers of grounding conductors in an electrical or
control panel, and to attach to the panel's main grounding
conductor, in order to provide additional functionality to solve
some of the issues experienced with prior ground bar assemblies.
The universal ground bar assembly 10 may be used in industrial
automation, building automation, control systems, power systems,
telecommunications systems, or other applications where an
electrical system is installed.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section view through the ground
bar 12 of FIG. 1. The ground bar 12 is extruded using a conductive
material such as bare copper, tin-plated copper, aluminum,
tin-plated aluminum, bronze, or other types of conductive material.
The extrusion process allows for easy size, shape, and
configuration changes in the ground bar 12. In other embodiments,
the ground bar 12 may be manufactured using varying manufacturing
processes or other types of materials. As shown in FIG. 1, the
ground bar 12 has a length 13 of 11.64 inches. In other
embodiments, the length 13 of the ground bar 12 may be 4.92 or 8.28
inches. In still other embodiments, the length of the ground bar 12
may vary. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ground bar 12 has a
generally I-shaped cross-section 20. The I-shaped cross-section 20
increases the stability and bending strength of the ground bar 12
over other shaped cross-sections.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ground bar 12 has opposed
parallel end surfaces 22 and 24, opposed parallel top and bottom
surface 26 and 28, opposed parallel side walls 30 and 32, two top
flanges 34 and 36, and two bottom flanges 38 and 40. The parallel
top surface 26 has a width 42 of 0.62 inches. In other embodiments,
the width 42 of the parallel top surface 26 may be in a range of
0.60 to 0.64 inches. In still other embodiments, the width 42 of
the parallel top surface 26 may vary. The large size parallel top
surface 26 allows for a large area to land terminals such as ring
terminals. The two top flanges 34 and 36 extend between the top
surface 26 and the respective side walls 30 and 32, and comprise
parallel top flange side walls 44 and 46 and curved top flange
bottom surfaces 48 and 50. The two bottom flanges 38 and 40 extend
between the bottom surface 28 and the respective side walls 30 and
32, and comprise parallel bottom flange side walls 52 and 54 and
curved bottom flange top surfaces 56 and 58. The bottom surface 28
has a width 59 of 0.62 inches. In other embodiments, the width 59
of the bottom surface 28 may be in a range of 0.60 to 0.64 inches.
The two bottom flanges 38 and 40 are shaped to allow other devices,
such as conductive or isolative brackets, to grasp onto them.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, eighteen top threaded holes 60 extend
from the top surface 26, into the cross-section 20, and end in the
cross-section 20 without going through the bottom surface 28. The
eighteen top threaded holes 60 (shown in FIG. 18) have a diameter
62 of 0.25 inches. In another embodiment, the eighteen top threaded
holes 60 may have a diameter 62 in a range of 0.23 to 0.27 inches.
Eighteen screws 64 are attached to the top threaded holes 60. The
eighteen screws 64 have hexagonal ends 66 with slots 68 making it
easy to rotate the screws 64 with a screw-driver or wrench. The
other ends 69 of the screws 64 are chamfered with flat bottom
surfaces. In other embodiments, the screws 64 may have varying
shaped or configured ends 66 and 69.
[0030] Two top threaded end holes 70 are disposed at the opposite
ends 15 and 17 of the ground bar 12. The two top threaded end holes
70 extend from the top surface 26, through the cross-section 20,
and through the bottom surface 28. The two top threaded end holes
70 have a diameter 76 of 0.25 inches. In another embodiment, the
two top threaded end holes 70 may have a diameter 76 in a range of
0.23 to 0.27 inches. The two top threaded end holes 70 may either
have screws attached to them (not shown) or may be left without
screws attached to them as shown to provide clearance for the
screws 64 in the top threaded holes 60. Eighteen side holes 78
extend between the opposed parallel side walls 30 and 32 with each
of the eighteen side holes 78 intersecting within the cross-section
20 with a corresponding one of the eighteen top threaded holes 60.
The eighteen side holes 78 have a diameter 80 of 0.281 inches. In
another embodiment, the eighteen side holes 78 may have a diameter
80 in a range of 0.271 to 0.291 inches. In other embodiments, the
ground bar 12 may have varying numbers, sizes, or configurations of
top threaded holes 60, top threaded end holes 70, or side holes
78.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section through a ground bar 12a
of another embodiment having a cross-section 20a in a T-shape.
Although hidden in this view, the ground bar 12a of FIG. 3 may have
the same top threaded holes 60 (shown in FIG. 18), top threaded end
holes 70, and side holes 78 as shown in the ground bar 12 of the
embodiment of FIG. 1. The ground bar 12a has opposed parallel end
surfaces 22a (the other opposed parallel end surface is hidden in
this view), opposed parallel top and bottom surfaces 26a and 28a,
opposed parallel side walls 30a and 32a, and two top flanges 34a
and 36a. The parallel top surface 26a has a width 42a of 0.62
inches. In other embodiments, the width 42a of the parallel top
surface 26a may be in a range of 0.60 to 0.64 inches. In still
other embodiments, the width 42a of the parallel top surface 26a
may vary. The large size parallel top surface 26a allows for a
large area to land terminals such as ring terminals. The bottom
surface 28a has a width 59a of 0.315 inches. In other embodiments,
the width 59a of the bottom surface 28a may be in a range of 0.295
to 0.335 inches. The smaller sized bottom surface 28a reduces the
amount of material needed to manufacture the ground bar 12a,
thereby decreasing its manufacturing cost. The two top flanges 34a
and 36a extend between the top surface 26a and the respective side
walls 30a and 32a, and comprise parallel top flange side walls 82a
and 84a and curved top flange bottom surfaces 86a and 88a.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section through a ground bar 12b
of another embodiment having a cross-section 20b in yet another
varying shape. Although hidden in this view, the ground bar 12a of
FIG. 4 may have the same top threaded holes 60, top threaded end
holes 70, and side holes 78 as shown in the ground bar 12 of the
embodiment of FIG. 1. The ground bar 12 has opposed parallel end
surfaces 22b (the other opposed parallel end surface is hidden in
this view), opposed parallel top and bottom surfaces 26b and 28b,
opposed parallel side walls 30b and 32b, two top flanges 34b and
36b, and two bottom flanges 38b and 40b. The parallel top surface
26b has a width 42b of 0.62 inches. In other embodiments, the width
42b of the parallel top surface 26b may be in a range of 0.60 to
0.64 inches. In still other embodiments, the width 42b of the
parallel top surface 26b may vary.
[0033] The large size parallel top surface 26b allows for a large
area to land terminals such as ring terminals. The two top flanges
34b and 36b extend between the top surface 26b and the respective
side walls 30b and 32b, and comprise parallel top flange side walls
82b and 84b and curved top flange bottom surfaces 86b and 88b. The
two bottom flanges 38b and 40b extend between the bottom surface
28b and the respective side walls 30b and 32b, and comprise
parallel bottom flange side walls 52b and 54b and curved bottom
flange top surfaces 56b and 58b. The bottom surface 28b has a width
59b of 0.438 inches. In other embodiments, the width 59b of the
bottom surface 28b may be in a range of 0.418 to 0.458 inches. The
smaller sized bottom surface 28b reduces the amount of material
needed to manufacture the ground bar 12b, thereby decreasing its
manufacturing cost. The two bottom flanges 38b and 40b are shaped
to allow other devices, such as conductive or isolative brackets,
to grasp onto them, while at the same time providing a reduced
amount of material to reduce manufacturing cost.
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a partial bottom perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly 10 of FIG. 1 showing one of the
mounting brackets 14 detached from the ground bar 12. Both mounting
brackets 14 and 16 of FIG. 1 are identically configured and
attached to the opposite ends 15 and 17 of the ground bar 12. The
mounting brackets 14 and 16 of FIG. 1 are made of a conductive
material such as bare copper, tin-plated copper, aluminum,
tin-plated aluminum, bronze, or other types of conductive material
to electrically bond the ground bar 12 to the mounting surface 18
to pass the electrical charge running through the ground bar 12
through the mounting brackets 14 and 16 and into the mounting
surface 18, which may comprise a panel of an electrical or control
unit. As shown in FIG. 5, each mounting bracket 14 (only one is
shown) comprises a top surface 90 and curved opposed side walls 92
and 94 extending at non-parallel angles from the top surface 90 in
a generally U-shape with two flanges 96 and 98 extending from the
opposed side walls 92 and 94. The two flanges 96 and 98 are
generally parallel to the top surface 90. The top surface 90
contains a top surface hole 100, and the two flanges 96 and 98 each
contain respective flange holes 102 and 104.
[0035] A separate mounting bracket screw 106 (only one is shown) is
configured to directly attach each respective mounting bracket 14
to the ground bar 12 by extending the mounting bracket screw 106
through the top surface hole 100 into the threaded end hole 70 in
the bottom surface 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting brackets 14
and 16 are attached, with their longitudinal axis 107 and 109
disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 108 of the ground bar
12, at the opposite ends 15 and 17 of the ground bar 12 between the
ground bar 12 and the attached mounting surface 18. In other
embodiments, the mounting brackets 14 and 16 may be attached at
varying orientations relative to the ground bar 12. Additional
mounting bracket screws 106, as shown in FIG. 1, extend through the
respective flange holes 102 and 104, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, in
the two flanges 96 and 98 of each mounting bracket 14 and 16
attaching the mounting brackets 14 and 16 to the mounting surface
18. In such manner, by attaching the mounting brackets 14 and 16
between the ground bar 12 and the mounting surface 18, the ground
bar 12 is spaced apart from the mounting surface 18 allowing for
additional space for greater accessibility to the ground bar 12
making it easier to run wires or terminations to the ground bar
12.
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly 10 of FIG. 1 showing an isolative
mounting bracket 110 attached to the end 15 of the ground bar 12.
FIG. 7 illustrates the view of FIG. 6 with the isolative mounting
bracket 110 detached from the end 15 of the ground bar 12. The
isolative mounting bracket 110 is made of a non-conductive material
such as plastic in order to electrically isolate the ground bar 12
from the mounting surface 18, shown in FIG. 6, to prevent the
electrical charge running through the ground bar 12 from passing
through the isolative mounting bracket 110 into the mounting
surface 18. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the isolative mounting
bracket 110 comprises two parallel end walls 112 and 114, two
parallel opposed outer side walls 116 and 118, opposed top and
bottom surfaces 120 and 122, and an intermediate wall 124. The
opposed outer side walls 116 and 118 are each completely disposed
in separate respective planes. A slot 126 extends through the top
surface 120. The slot 126 is defined by opposed top slot walls 128
and 129, opposed side slot walls 130 and 132 extending from the
opposed top slot walls 128 and 129, and a bottom slot wall 134
extending between the opposed side slot walls 130 and 132. The
opposed side slot walls 130 and 132 are non-parallel to, and in
this particular embodiment perpendicular to, the top slot walls 128
and 129 and the bottom slot wall 134. The opposed side slot walls
130 and 132 each extend a same length 133 as the top surface 120,
and are disposed parallel to the parallel outer side walls 116 and
118. One end 135 of the slot 126 is open and the other end 137 of
the slot 136 is blocked by a slot ledge 138 centered between the
opposed side slot walls 130 and 132. A mounting hole 140 extends
through the bottom surface 122 beyond the slot 126 between the
opposed side slot walls 130 and 132.
[0037] The isolative mounting bracket 110 is attached to end 15 of
the ground bar 12 by sliding the slot 126 in direction 142 over the
bottom surface 28 and the oppositely disposed bottom flanges 38 and
40 of the ground bar 12 until the slot ledge 138 abuts against the
end 22 of the ground bar 12 preventing the isolative mounting
bracket 110 from moving further in direction 142. As shown in FIGS.
2, 6, and 7, the width 59 of the bottom surface 28 of the ground
bar 12 is less than the width 144 between the side slot walls 130
and 132 but greater than the width 146 between ends 147 and 149 of
the top slot walls 128 and 129. The width 146 between the ends 147
and 149 of the top slot walls 128 and 129 is greater than the width
148 between the opposed parallel side walls 30 and 32 of the ground
bar 12. As a result, the configuration of the slot 126 and the
configuration of the ground bar 12 allows for the isolative
mounting bracket 110 to be attached to the ground bar 12 without
using screws thereby conforming to the shape of the extruded ground
bar 12. An identical isolative mounting bracket 110 (not shown) may
be attached to the other end 17 (shown in FIG. 1) of the ground bar
12.
[0038] After isolative mounting brackets 110 are attached to both
ends 15 and 17 (shown in FIG. 1) of the ground bar 12, the
isolative mounting brackets 110 are attached to the mounting
surface 18 (shown in FIG. 6) by extending respective mounting
bracket screws 106 (only one is shown) through the mounting hole
140 in each isolative mounting bracket 110 into the mounting
surface 18 thereby preventing each isolative mounting bracket 110
from sliding off the ground bar 12. When the isolative mounting
brackets 110 are attached to the ground bar 12, the mounting hole
140 of each isolative mounting bracket 110 is disposed along the
longitudinal axis 108 of the ground bar 12 beyond the respective
parallel end surfaces 22 and 24 (shown in FIG. 1) of the ground bar
12. This configuration provides a more stabile attachment than if
the mounting holes 140 were disposed in the isolative mounting
brackets 110 to the sides 141 and 143 of the ground bar 12 because
it assures that the isolative mounting brackets 110 cannot rotate
out of position thereby preventing the ground bar 12 from sliding
out of the isolative mounting brackets 110. By attaching the
isolative mounting brackets 110 between the ground bar 12 and the
mounting surface 18, the ground bar 12 is spaced apart from the
mounting surface 18 allowing for additional space for greater
accessibility to the ground bar 12 making it easier to run wires or
terminations to the ground bar 12. The isolative mounting brackets
110 are also configured to attach to the bottom flanges 38b and 40b
of the ground bar 12b of the embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0039] FIG. 8 illustrates the view of the universal ground bar
assembly 10 of FIG. 6 showing a standard 2-hole lug 150 being
attached to the ground bar 12. Screws 64 are extended through holes
152 and 154 in the standard 2-hole lug 150 into, respectively, one
of the top threaded holes 60 and into one of the top threaded end
holes 70 in the top surface 26 of the ground bar 12. The eighteen
top threaded holes 60 are spaced apart from each other by a
distance 156 of 0.31 inches, and each top threaded end hole 70 is
spaced apart from the adjacent top threaded hole 60 by a distance
158 of 0.375 inches. The spacing of the holes 60 and 70 is designed
to accommodate standard 2-hole lugs 150. In other embodiments, the
spacing of the holes 60 and 70 may be varied to accommodate other
devices.
[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates a partial top perspective end view of the
universal ground bar assembly 10 of FIG. 1 with a main conductor
block 160 being attached to the ground bar 12. The main conductor
block 160 comprises parallel end surfaces 162 and 164, two parallel
top surfaces 166 and 168 and a parallel bottom surface 170, an
intermediary surface 172 which is parallel to the end surfaces 162
and 164, and parallel side surfaces 174 and 176. Threaded hole 178
extends from the top surface 166 through the bottom surface 170.
Threaded hole 180 extends from the top surface 168 into the
cross-section 182 without passing through the bottom surface 170.
Side hole 184 extends from the end surface 162 into the
cross-section 182 intersecting the threaded hole 180 within the
cross-section 182 without passing through the intermediary surface
172. Screw 64 extends through the threaded hole 180 in the main
conductor block 160 into the top threaded end hole 70 in the top
surface 26 of the ground bar 12 in order to attach the main
conductor block 160 to the top surface 26 of the ground bar 12.
[0041] FIG. 10 illustrates a partial top perspective end view of
another embodiment of a universal ground bar assembly 10c, having
an anti-rotation feature, with a main conductor block 160 being
attached to the ground bar 12c. The universal ground bar assembly
10c of FIG. 10 is identical to the universal ground bar assembly 10
of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the exception that opposed ends
15c (the other end is not shown) of the top surface 26c of the
ground bar 12c are each defined by an identical anti-rotation slot
186. Each identical anti-rotation slot 186 comprises an open slot
end 188, opposed parallel slot side walls 190 and 192, and a slot
end wall 194 extending between the opposed parallel slot side walls
190 and 192. The width 196 of the bottom surface 170 of the main
conductor block 160 is less than the width 198 between the slot
side walls 190 and 192.
[0042] When the conductor block 160 is disposed against the top
surface 26c between the opposed slot side walls 190 and 192 of the
ground bar 12c and the threaded hole 180 in the main conductor
block 160 is overlapped with the top threaded end hole 70c in the
top surface 26c between the opposed slot side walls 190 and 192 of
the ground bar 12c, a screw 64 may be extended through the
overlapping holes 180 and 70c to attach the main conductor block
160 to the top surface 26c of the ground bar 12c. In this position,
the slot side walls 190 and 192 abut against the side surfaces 174
and 176 of the main conductor block 160 and the slot end wall 194
abuts against the end surface 164 of the main conductor block 160
preventing the main conductor block 160 from rotating relative to
the ground bar 12c. The slot 186 may be machined in the top surface
26c of the ground bar 12c. In other embodiments, the slot 186 may
be manufactured in varying ways.
[0043] FIG. 11 illustrates a partial top perspective end view of
the universal ground bar assembly 10 of FIG. 1 with a varied main
conductor block 160a, having an anti-rotation feature, being
attached to the ground bar 12. The varied main conductor block 160a
is identical to the main conductor block 160 of FIG. 9 with the
exception that an anti-rotation ledge 200 extends from the bottom
surface 170a of the varied main conductor block 160a. The
anti-rotation ledge 200 is parallel to the parallel end surfaces
162a and 164a and the intermediary surface 172a of the varied main
conductor block 160a.
[0044] When the bottom surface 170a of the varied main conductor
block 160a is disposed against the top surface 26 of the ground bar
12 and the anti-rotation ledge 200 of the varied main conductor
block 160 is abutted, in parallel formation, against the end
surface 22 of the ground bar 12, the threaded hole 180a in the
varied main conductor block 160a overlaps the top threaded end hole
70 in the top surface 26 of the ground bar 12. A screw 64 may then
be extended through the overlapping holes 180a and 70 to attach the
varied main conductor block 160a to the ground bar 12 without the
main conductor block 160a rotating relative to the ground bar 12
due to the anti-rotation ledge 200 of the main conductor block 160a
abutting against the end surface 22 of the ground bar 12.
[0045] FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 9.
As shown in FIG. 12, the main conductor block 160 in this
configuration is disposed so that the end surface 162 of the main
conductor block 160 is disposed to be parallel to the end surface
22 of the ground bar 12 when the screw 64 (shown in FIG. 9) extends
through the threaded hole 180 (shown in FIG. 9) in the main
conductor block 160 into the top threaded end hole 70 (shown in
FIG. 9) in the top surface 26 of the ground bar 12 in order to
attach the main conductor block 160 to the top surface 26 of the
ground bar 12.
[0046] FIG. 13 illustrates another partial top perspective view of
the embodiment of FIG. 9 with the exception that the main conductor
block 160 has been attached to the ground bar 12 in a different
orientation. As shown in FIG. 13, the main conductor block 160 in
this configuration is disposed so that the end surface 162 of the
main conductor block 160 is disposed to be perpendicular to the end
surface 22 of the ground bar 12 when the screw 64 extends through
the threaded hole 180 (shown in FIG. 9) in the main conductor block
160 into the top threaded end hole 70 (shown in FIG. 9) in the top
surface 26 of the ground bar 12 in order to attach the main
conductor block 160 to the top surface 26 of the ground bar 12.
FIGS. 12 and 13 demonstrate that the configuration of the ground
bar 12 allows for the main conductor block 160 to be attached to
the ground bar 12 in varying orientations.
[0047] FIG. 14 illustrates a partial side view of the ground bar 12
of FIG. 1 showing the attachment of varying types of conductive
terminations to the ground bar 12. The top threaded holes 60,
corresponding side holes 78, and top threaded end holes 70 (see
FIG. 1) of the universal ground bar 12 are configured to
accommodate varying sized and type terminals (ring or fork) 202,
ferrules 206, bare wires 216, or compression connectors 222 at
virtually any portion of the universal ground bar 12.
[0048] FIG. 15 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
ground bar 12 of FIG. 1 showing a screw 64 and ring terminal 202
detached from the ground bar 12. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a
ring terminal 202 is attached to the ground bar 12 by threading one
of the screws 64, with the optimum torque, through a hole 204 in
the ring terminal 202 into one of the top threaded holes 60 of the
top surface 26 of the ground bar 12 to press the ring terminal 202
against the top surface 26 in order to pass an electrical charge of
the ring terminal 202 into the conductive material of the ground
bar 12. The screw 64 has a hexagonal end 66 with a slot 68 which
allows rotation of the screw 64 with a rotating device 205
comprising a screw-driver or wrench. The large width 42 of the
parallel top surface 26 allows for a large contact area to land
ring terminals 202. A fork terminal may be attached to the ground
bar 12 by following the same attachment process as for the ring
terminal 202.
[0049] FIG. 16 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly 10 of FIG. 1 showing a screw 64 and
ferrule 206 detached from the ground bar 12. As shown in FIGS. 14
and 16, a ferrule 206 is attached to the ground bar 12 by inserting
the ferrule 206 through one of the side holes 78 of the ground bar
12 and threading one of the screws 64, with the optimum torque,
through one of the top threaded holes 60 of the top surface 26 of
the ground bar 12 until a bottom end 69 of the screw 64 presses
against a top surface 210 of the ferrule 206 firmly pressing a
bottom surface 212 of the ferrule 206 against a bottom portion 214
of the side hole 78 of the ground bar 12. The screw 64 has a
hexagonal end 66 with a slot 68 which allows rotation of the screw
64 with a rotating device 205 comprising a screw-driver or wrench.
The bottom end 69 of the screw 64 is chamfered with a flat bottom
surface assisting in the connection of the bottom surface 212 of
the ferrule 206 to the bottom portion 214 of the side hole 78 of
the ground bar 12. This attachment allows the passing of an
electrical charge of the ferrule 206 into the conductive material
of the ground bar 12. The large diameter 80 of the side holes 78
allows large or small ferrules to be attached within the side holes
78 of the ground bar 12.
[0050] FIG. 17 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly 10 of FIG. 1 showing a screw 64 and
bare wire 216 detached from the ground bar 12. As shown in FIGS. 14
and 17, a bare (or stripped) wire 216 is attached to the ground bar
12 by inserting the bare wire 216 through one of the side holes 78
of the ground bar 12 and threading one of the screws 64, with the
optimum torque, through one of the top threaded holes 60 of the top
surface 26 of the ground bar 12 until a bottom end 69 of the screw
64 presses against a top surface 218 of the bare wire 216 firmly
pressing a bottom surface 220 of the bare wire 216 against a bottom
portion 214 of the side hole 78 of the ground bar 12. The screw 64
has a hexagonal end 66 with a slot 68 which allows rotation of the
screw 64 with a rotating device 205 comprising a screw-driver or
wrench. The bottom end 69 of the screw 64 is chamfered with a flat
bottom surface assisting in the connection of the bottom end 69 of
the bare wire 216 to the bottom portion 214 of the side hole 78 of
the ground bar 12. This attachment allows the passing of an
electrical charge of the bare wire 216 into the conductive material
of the ground bar 12. The large diameter 80 of the side holes 78
allows large or small bare wires 216 to be attached within the side
holes 78 of the ground bar 12. Bare wires 216 require less diameter
80 side holes 78 than ferrules 206 of the same gage.
[0051] FIG. 18 illustrates a partial top perspective view of the
universal ground bar assembly 10 of FIG. 1 showing a screw 64 and
compression connector 222 detached from the ground bar 12. As shown
in FIGS. 14 and 18, a compression connector 222 such as a one-hole
compression lug is attached to the ground bar 12 by threading one
of the screws 64, with the optimum torque, through a hole 224 in
the compression connector 222 into one of the top threaded holes 60
of the top surface 26 of the ground bar 12 to press the compression
connector 222 against the top surface 26 in order to pass an
electrical charge of the compression connector 222 into the
conductive material of the ground bar 12. The screw 64 has a
hexagonal end 66 with a slot 68 which allows rotation of the screw
64 with a rotating device 205 comprising a screw-driver or wrench.
The large width 42 of the parallel top surface 26 allows for a
large contact area to land compression connectors 222.
[0052] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may reduce one or
more problems of the prior ground bars by allowing one or more of
the following: providing for the acceptance of differing types of
conductive terminations such as a stripped wire, a ferrule, a ring
or fork terminal, and a compression connector; providing conductive
mounting brackets which directly attach to the ground bar to space
apart the ground bar from a mounting surface; providing isolative
mounting brackets which allow the attachment of the isolative
mounting brackets to a ground bar without fasteners; or providing
anti-rotation features to prevent conductor blocks from rotating
while being attached to a ground bar.
[0053] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the disclosure.
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